Sheet-coating machine.



E. M.- HAWKINS.

SHEET COATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, 1911.

1,1 33,024. Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2 "HE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTO-LITHOU WASHINGTON D. C.

E. M. HAWKINS. SHEET COATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, 1911.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented M31223; 1915.

1 III Wu ncooao THE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON D C E.M. HAWKINS.

SHEET COATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILED JULY 29, 1911. 1,1 33 ,O24. Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEBT 3.

Suva whom THE NORRIS PzuL'RS ca. PHOTD-LITHOM WASHINGTON D. c.

E. M. HAWKINS.

SHEET OQATING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 29, 1911.

Patented Mar.23,1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

5 mm nfoz o g In: 5. "Ill 3 f tx W THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTO-LITHO..WASHINGTON. D

E. M. HAWKINS.

SHEET COATING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 29, 1911.

1,1 33,024. Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

w vh ve ooeo 35%;- abtouwq THE NORRIS PETERS C0,. PHDTO-LITHOUWASHINGTON. D C.

E. M. HAWKINS.

SHEET COATING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29,1911.

1,1 33,024. Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

| 7IIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII THE NORRIS PETERS C0. FHOTU-LITHCL.WASHING TON. D. c.

bunch of sheets, while the feeding pressure,

%TA.TES PATENT @FETCE.

EDGAR MARVIN HAWKINS, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR 'IO D. KNOWLTONCOMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SHEET-COATING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 29, 1911. Serial 110.641,?46.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDGAR M. HAWKINS, citizenof the United States, and resident of Rochester, in the county of Monroeand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin' Sheet- Uoating Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a sheet coating machine, the main'object ofthe invention being to provide a machine of this class by means of whichsheets, such for example as labels, wrappers, etc., may be coated orgummed successively and automatically by power mechanism. A machine ofthis kind isuseful mainly for gumming sheets to be applied one at a timeto boxes or other articles, and the present invention is directedprimarily to a machine adapted for use in this way. In practice such amachine should be capable of operation in such a manner as todeliver-gummed sheets in a manner controllable by the operator who is topaste such sheets on boxes, etc., and an important feature of theinvention is the provision of means under the control of the operatorfor affording an intermittent feed of'sheets to the gumming means. Thisfeed mechanism preferably has an intermittent feed movement controlledby automatic stopping means governed by the operator. An importantfeature of the mechanism is the provision of means for relieving orreleasing the pressure of the feeding means on a sheet at apredetermined point in'the operation of the mechanism and transferringfeeding pressure to a suitable idler or idlers. In a machine of thistypeit is desirable to feed the sheets oneat a time from a thick pile orbunch, and in order to accomplish this result in a practical manner ithas been found necessary'to provide special means for the purpose. Themeans employed herein preferably embodies two main parts, one of whichcooperates with the feeding means for exerting feeding pressure onsuccessive sheets of a bunch, whatever the thickness of the bunch orpile of sheets may he, while the other cooperates directly with suchsheets for exerting holding pressure thereon, this holding pressurebeing preferably applied at the rear end of the is applied at theforward end thereof. An important feature of this holding means is that,in the preferred construction, only a small surface engages any sheet,needle points being employed whlch engage the rear end of the sheetandtear out a very narrow line or lines as the sheet isv advanced by thefeeding means The position and character of these needle-pointed holdingdevices, however, are such that the sheet is not spoiled but is incondition for application to a box as soon as it has beencoated Theseand other features of or gummed. V the invention not hereinbeforereferred to will be hereinafter described and claimed stationary; Fig. 5is an enlarged sectional rear elevation of a portion of the machine,

illustrating particularly the feed-roll and' the means for startingand'stopping it; Fig. 61s a vertical longltudlnal section of thePatented Mar. 23,1915.-

same, the section being taken in the line 6 6, Fig. 5, looking in thedirection of the arrow, the feed-roll being shown in operative relationwith the driving mechanism; Fig. 7 is a sectional plan of a portion ofthe same, the parts above the feed-roll being removed to illustrate theconstruction clearly; Fig. 8 is a sectional plan on a still larger scaleof the feed-roll and the means for controlling the starting and stoppingof the same, and Fig. 9 is a transverse section through the bed or baseof the machine.

Similar reference characters designate like parts in all the figures ofthe drawings.

The various operative parts of the mechanism may be mounted upon anysuitable frame, the preferred construction being that shown herein, inwhich the main frame comprises a casting, designated generally by 2,forming both a support for the moving PartS 0f the m ch ne and a so meanfor con i the machine to the gumming means.

taining the glue or other adhesive to be applied to the sheets. Inaddition this base casting also has means for applying heat to the glueor other adhesive for the purpose of maintaining it in a proper liquidcondition throughout the operation of the machine. Both at its forwardend and at its rear end the body of this casting is shown as extended,the forward end being extended, as shown at 8, both for the purpose ofsupport ing the forward operating parts of the machine and for thepurpose of permitting a glue-trough or reservoir to extend sufficientlyfar forward, and the rear end having bracket extensions 4 for supportingoperating parts of the mechainsm at the rear of the machine.

As before stated, the principal operating mechanisms of the machine arefeeding means for feeding sheets successively to the gumming means,holding means for maintaining the sheets in proper position forengagement by the feeding means but so constructed as to permit thesheets to be fed readily at the proper times, and gunnning means towhich the sheets are delivered to be gummed.

The feeding means shown herein is poweroperated and adapted to bebrought into operation to feed sheets successively or intermittently,this action being under the control of an operator, who will usually belocated at the forward end of the machine in position to remove sheetsfrom the gumming means as fast as they are gummed. In this constructionthe speed of delivery of these sheets is also under the control of theopera tor. The feeding means is preferably driven from a suitable mainshaft, such as 5, from which the gumming means will also preferably beoperated. This shaft is shown as driven by a band-wheel 6, which may beconnected with any suitable source of power (not shown) in any desiredway, and is mounted in suitable bearings in side frames 7 rising fromthe main casting or bed near the longitudinal center of the machine. Inthe construction shown the shaft 5 has se cured thereto substantially atthe transverse center of the machine a ratchet-wheel 8 which is heldagainst rotation on the shaft by means of a spline. The shaft 5 and itsratchet-wheel are intended to be continuously rotated by the band-wheel6, and through them movement will be imparted in the presentconstruction intermittently to a suitable feed member, such as afeed-roll 9. This feedroll is also located substantially at thetransverse center of the machine. Its surface is preferably covered witha suitable flexible material, such as rubber, for the purpose of 'rippmgthe sheets or labels firmly and positively feeding them tl rough Thisfeed-roll may be brought intermittently into engagement with ordisengaged from the power mechanism just described for driving it by anysuitable coupling means. That illustrated comprises a pawl 10 pivoted at11 in the interior of the feed-roll and having a tooth 12 adapted to beprojected into the path of and engaged by the teeth of the ratchet-wheel8 for the purpose of coupling it to such ratchet-wheel and causing it tobe rotated thereby. Normally this pawl 10 will be held, as by means of aspring 13, in position to be clutched by the ratcl1et-wheel., and hencethe feed-roll will normally be clutched to the shaft '5 and rotatedthere with.

The feed member shown is preferably so combined with means for holding asheet in operative relation therewith as to be movable into and out offeeding relation with a sheet, the preferred construction being one inwhich a relatively thick pile or bunch of sheets is carried by asuitable sheet-holding means and in which the means for feeding sheetssuccessively from such a pile or bunch is adapted to have the pressureexerted on it for feeding a sheet relieved or released at apredetermined point in the operation of the machine. In the preferredconstruction illustrated herein this relievin or releasing of feedpressure occurs intermittently and is due in part to the construction ofthe feedroll and in part to means for receiving intermittently a part ofthe feed pressure borne by the feed-roll during the feed operation. Thefeed-roll shown is illustrated as having at 1% a flattened peripherymovable in a path of less diameter than that in which the feedingportion of the periphery of the roll 9 travels, this flattened portionof the feed-roll being intended to be brought to the position shown inFig f each time a sheet is fed forward far enough to bring it intoproper cooperative relation with the gumming means. The means justreferred to for receiving a portion of the feeding pressure willpreferably come into action substantially at the moment that theeffective portion of the periphery of the feedroll reaches theinoperative position. The means employed may be any suitable for thepurpose, one or more idlers or idler-rolls, such as 15, being shownherein and having their working surfaces, that is, the points intendedto come in contact with a sheet, located or movable in a path lyingbetween the paths of movement of the effective and flat portionsrespectively of the periphery of the feed-roll. By means of thisconstruction it will be clear that normally the whole pressure exertedon a sheet to hold it in contact with the feed-roll will be exertedagainst the effective portion of the periphery of the feed-roll, butthat when the parts are in the be transferred from the effective portionof circle, as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

the surface of the feed-roll to the idler rolls 15. These rolls beingsmall and light will oppose but slight resistance to the continuedforward movement of the sheets by the gumming means, and the feed-rollthough then in a stationary position will oppose no resistance to thesheets, in the preferred construction illustrated, because it will thenbe wholly out of contact with the sheet.

Any suitable means under the control of the operator may be employed forgoverning the starting and stopping of the feed-roll just described.That shown herein com-V prises a connecting-rod l6 usually operated by atreadle (not shown) and means operated thereby for controlling thecoupling and uncoupling of the pawl and ratchet within the feed-roll.Here the connectingrod 16 operates a shifting-lever 17 in the form of anangle-lever the long arm of which extends upward substantiallyvertically and is movable at its upper end through a short and nearlyhorizontal arc. At said upper end it is illustrated as pivotallyconnected to a slide or pin 18 secured at its inner end to a radial earor lug 19 of a sleeve 20 mounted to slide freely on the shaft 5 whilethe shaft turns freely therein. This sleeve is also shown as heldagainst rotation by the smooth shank of a screw 21 fastened to theadjacent side frame-piece 7, the sleeve being free to slide on thesmooth shank of this screw as well as on the shaft 5. Said sleeve isalso illustrated as having a second projecting ear or lug 22 having apin 23 in fixed relation therewith for cooperation with the feed-roll,and particularly with the pawl 10 thereof. Normally a coiled spring,such as 24, in an enlargement of the bore in which the pin or slide 18works, tends to force the sleeve 20 and consequently the pin 23 inwardand into the plane of rotation' of the feed-roll. It will be noticedthat this feed-roll is open at the end adjacent to the pin 23, it havingin the construction illustrated an annular end-plate "25 with a largecentral opening. The major portion of the inner edge of the pawl 10,when that pawl is out of action, is also preferably defined by the samecircle that defines the opening in the end-plate 25. Moreover, the pin23 is so located as to lie just within this circle, and it is movableinto and out of said opening in a path lying just withinlsaid t istherefore out of the path of all of the operating parts except thoseportions of the pawl 10 with which it is intended to cooperate. It willbe noticed that the pawl 10 hasa slight rise or projection at 26followed by a' such shaft.

the uncoupling pin 23-into the opening in the end of the feed-roll, andas said feedroll turns the inner edge of the end-plate 25 will. passaround said pin without interference until the pawl 10 comes intoposition for operation, when said pawl will strike said pin and will beforced out thereby toward the periphery of the feed-roll from theposition shown in Fig. .6 to that illustrated in Fig. 4, said pin ridingover the projection 26 and into the locking recess 27, when the pawlreaches the proper point in its travel. The projection 26 preventsbacklash and assures the locking of the feed-roll in a predeterminedposition, which is that shown in Fig. 4, with the fiat face of thefeed-roll out of contact with a sheet.

It will be noticed that the feed-roll is very light and of substantiallyskeleton construc' tion, this being an important feature of theapparatus, as it is desirable to reduce the weight and momentum of therapidly rotated'and quickly checked feed-roll to the minimum. By meansof the devices just described the feed-roll can be stopped substantiallyinstantaneously and locked in the exact predetermined position withoutaffecting the operation of the main driving shaft 5 or the operation ofother parts controlled by It will be seen that the controlling devioesfor coupling and uncoupling the feed-roll are such that the putting ofthe feed-roll into action requires positive action, on the part of theoperator, the normal con-' dition of the parts being that in which thefeed-roll is out of operative relation with the shaft 5. In connectionwith the devices just described for feeding sheets successively to thegumming means suitable sheet-holding means will be employed. Preferablya sheet-holder adapted to carry a thick pile or bunch of sheets isusedand is of such construction as to be capable of gradual movement towardthe feed-roll as the thickness of the pile or bunch is reduced by thewithdrawal of sheets successively therefromj, In

connection with such a sheet-holder means are also preferably employedfor exerting feed pressure upon it and upon the sheet being fed. s

The. sheetho1der illustrated is designated generally by 30 and ispivoted at 31 in bearings at the upper rear ends of the brackets 4. Atits forward end it has a range or are of movement sufficient toaccommodate a pile of sheets of the desired thickness, sayone or twoinches; and in connection with this sheet-holder suitable means areprovided for" exerting feed pressure upon it constantly for holding theouter or upper sheet in position to be fed. This feed pressurewill beexerted against the circular periphery of the feedroll when theflat'portion of said rollis not adjacent to the uppermost sheet, butwhen the circular portion ofthe'feed-roll begins to leave the sheet theforward end of the sheet-holder and the pile of sheets thereon will riseslightly and feed pressure will be transferred from the circularperiphery of the feed-roll to the idler rolls before described. Anysuitable means will be employed for exerting this feed pressure on thesheet-holder. That shown herein comprises a counterweighted lever 32,here illustrated as a cam-lever, this lever being fastened to therock-shaft 33 mounted in suitable bearings on the framework and having acamarm 34 on which the sheet-holder rests. The feedpressure exerted bythis counter- Weighted l-ver may be varied as desired by means of theadjustable weight mounted to slide on the long arm of the lever and tobe held in any desired adjusted position thereon. This cam-lever isswung up to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. whenever a bunchof sheets is to be placed on the sheet-holder, this being necessary inorder to permit said sheet-holder to be lowered sufliciently for thispurpose. Coacting stops are illustrated at 36 and 37 on the camlever andthe framework respectively for limiting this upward movement of thecam-lever. By means of the devices just described a predetermined andsubstantially uniform feed pressure may be applied to each of the sheetsof a bunch placed on the sheet-holder, and by the adjustment of theweight the amount of that pressure maybe regulated in accordance withthe character and material of the sheets being fed.

In addition to the devices just described for exerting pressure on thesheet-holder and sheets to bring the sheets into proper feed relationwith the feed-rolls, suitable means should be employed for exertingopposing pressure on the sheets to keep them in proper position forfeeding and assure their being fed from the pile one at a time only.This opposing pressure will usually be exerted downwardly by suitablemeans for holding the sheets at a point in the rear of that at whichthey are engaged by the feeding means, the preferred construction beingthat illustrated herein, in which the feeding pressure is exertedupwardly at the forward end of the sheet to the opposing holdingpressure exerted downwardly substantially at the extreme rear end ofeach sheet. The holding means employed is designated generally by H. Itcomprises suitable means for exerting pressure on a small area or areasonly of the sheet, the construction found best for the purpose being onein which needlepointed holding devices are used, the needle point orpoints being so set as to engage the sheet very close to the rear endthereofsay within'one-eighth or three-sixteenths of an inch of the rearedge. When so held each sheet when drawn forward by the feeding meanswill have a short, fine slit cut in it by the needle-point of eachholding device, which slit is so narrow as to do no harm, as it will notbe noticed when the sheet is pasted or applied on a box or otherarticle. The needle-pointed holding means just described will preferablyexert a constant pressure on the upper rear end of the pile of sheets.The position of the holding means lengthwise of the line of travel ofthe sheets may be varied at will in the preferred construction in orderthat it may cooperate properly with sheets of various lengths. Theconstruction shown is one in which two needle-points 38 are held inchucks 39 mounted in sleeves 40 adjustable in vertical bearings 41 in across-head 42 mounted to slide on a pair of slide-rods 43 forming partsof a pivoted frame or needle carriage the pivot point of which is in arock-shaft 44 mounted in suitable hearings on the framework and havingstops 45 coiiperative with fixed stop faces 46 on the framework forlimiting the upward movement of said frame about its axis in therock-shaft 44. At its rear end the rods 43 preferably rest inhalfbearings 47 rising, as before described, from the rear bracket-arms4. Suitable means, such as the clamp-screws 48, may be em ployed forsecuring the cross-head 42 and the parts carried thereby in any desiredposition lengthwise of the needle-carriage. The needlepointed holdingdevices just described as mounted in the vertical bearings 41 of thecross-head 42 are preferably so supported that they may be raised andheld in an elevated position whenever it becomes necessary to refill thesheet-holder. When refilling is necessary they are intended to be raisedby grasping their weighted heads 49 and turning them a slight distance,say about bayonet-slots being shown at 50 in the sleeves 40 for thispurpose. When so raised and turned these needle-pointed holding devicesmay be held positively in this elevated position by means of stops suchas are shown at 51 (see particularly Figs. 3 and 4). By raising andholding them in this manner these needles are prevented from falling onand injuring the fingers of the operator or the sheets. In connectionwith these devices strips of soft wood, such as 52, are preferablyprovided in the sheet-holder or table under the needles so that when thelast sheet is pierced by the needles the points of the needles will notimpinge against the metal surface but will be protected by the softwood. Suitable guides, such as 53, should of course be employed atopposite sides of a bunch of sheets for locating the sheets sidewise.These guides or gages may be of any suitable type and adjusted in anywell known manner (see Fig. 2).

F or the purpose of stopping the machine entirely and starting it againshould it become necessary to do so, a hand-lever is illustrated at 93,this hand-lever serving to clutch the band-wheel 6 or to disengage itfrom the shaft 5 in a manner well understood. In the ordinary operationof the machine, however, this hand-lever will not be used as the shaft'5 will be continuously rotated, as before described. A hand-wheel 94 isshown at the opposite end of the shaft 5 from the hand-lever 93 for thepurpose of turning said shaft, the use of which will be obvious.

, What I claim is z- 1. In a machine of the character described, thecombination of power-operated means for feeding a sheet to the machine,actuating means for said feeding means, means for exerting feed pressurebetween said feeding means and a sheet to be fed to the machine, anidler device, means to transfer the feed pressure from said feedingmeans to the idler device, and mechanical stopping means automaticallyoperative when the pressure is thus transferred to disconnect theactuating means from said feed ing means.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of apower-operated feed device having a portion of its feed surface movablein a path that does not intersect the path of travel of the sheet being,fed, means for exerting feed pressure between said feed device and thesheet to be fed, an idler device to which the feed pressure istransferred when said portion of the feed device is adiacent the sheet,actuating means for said feed device, and automaticallv operable meansfor disconnecting the actuating means from said feed device and stoppingthe latter when the pressure is thus transferred to the idler device.

3. In a machine of the character de scribed. a power-operated feed rollhaving a portion of its periphery movable in an are that does notintersect the path of travel of the sheet being fed. means for exertingfeed pressure between said feed roll'and the sheet to be fed. an idlerdevice to which the feed pressure is transferred when said portion ofthe feed roll is adjacent the sheet, actuating means for saidfeed roll.and means for automatically d sconnecting the actuating means from saidfeed roll and stopping the latter when the pressure is thus transferredto the idler device.

4. In a mach ne of the character described. the combination with asheet-holder, of a power-operated feed device for feeding a sheet to themachine. pressure means for exerting feed pressure between the feed device and a sheet on said sheet-holder, an idler roll normally stationarywith respect to the feed device, and means for transferring feedpressure from the feed device to said idler roll at a predeterminedpointin the feed of the sheet.

5. In a machine of the character de,-. scribed, the combination with asheet-holder, of a power-operated feed-roll for feeding a sheet to themachine, pressure means for exerting pressure between the feed-roll anda sheet carried by said sheet-holder, an idler roll, normally stationarywith respect to the feed roll, and means for transferringffeed pressurefrom the feed-roll to said idler-roll at a predetermined point in thefeed of the sheet. '1

6. In a machine of the character de.- scribed, the combination with asheet-holder, of a power-operated feed-roll for feeding a sheet to themachine, pressure means .for exerting pressure between the feed-roll anda sheet on said sheet-holder, an idler-roll, normally stationary withrespect to the feed roll, and means for transferring feed pressure fromthe feed-roll to said-idler roll when the sheet reaches the machine. I r

7 In a machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder, of a power-operated feed-roll for feeding a sheet to themachine, pressure means for exerting pressurebetween the feed-roll and asheet carried by said sheet-holder, a pair of idler rolls atopposite'sides of the feedroll, and normally stationary with respect tothe feed'roll, and means for transferring feed pressure from thefeed-roll tosaid idler rolls at a predetermined point in the feed of thesheet.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder, of a feed rollhaving a periphery, one part of which isoperative for feeding a sheet to the machine and another part of whichis ineffective for feeding a sheet, pressure means for exerting pressurebetween the feed roll and a sheet carried by said sheetholder, meansadapted to permit free feeding of the sheet when the ineffective part ofthe feed roll is adjacent the sheet and to which the pressure istransferred at such time. actuating means for turning said feed roll toits ineffective position. and stopping means automatically operable whenthe feed roll reaches its ineffectivepositi on for disconnecting theactuating means from the feed roll.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder, of a power-operated feed-roll having a periphery one partof which is operative for feeding a sheet to the machine and anotherpart of which is of less diameter and is ineffective for feeding asheet, pressure means for exerting pressure between the feed-roll, and asheet carried by said sheet-holder, an

idler or pressure-receiving roll normally stationary with respect to thefeedroll, and

means for turning said feed-roll to its ineffective position to transferfeed pressure from the feed-roll to said idler roll.

I 10. a machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder, of a power-operated feed-roll having a periphery one partof which is operative for feeding a sheet to the machine and anotherpart of which is of less diameter and is ineffective for feeding asheet, pressure means for exerting pressure between the feed-roll and asheet carried by said sheet-holder, an idler roll the periphery of whichis movable in a pathbetween said effective and ineffective portions ofthe feed-roll, and means for turning said feed-roll to its inoperativeposition to transfer feed pressure from the feed-roll to said idlerroll.

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder, of a power-operated feed-roll having a pcriphery one partof which is operative for feeding a sheet to the machine and anotherpart of which is of less diameter and is ineifective for feeding asheet, pressure means for exerting pressure between the feed-roll and asheet carried by said sheet-holder, a pair of idler rolls the peripheryof each of which is movable in a path between the eifective andineffective portions of the feedroll, said idler rolls being disposed atopposite sides of the feed-roll, and means for turning saidfeed-roll toits ineffective position to transfer feed pressure from the feedroll tosaid idler rolls. I a

'12. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder, of a power-operated feed device for feeding a sheet to themachine, means constantly tending to exert pressure on said sheetholderto bring a sheet into contact with the feeding device, apressure-receiving idler roll normally stationary with respect to thefeed device, and means for transferring pressure of said sheet-holderfrom the feed de vice to the pressure-receiving roll at a predeterminedpoint in the feed of the sheet.

13. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination with asheet-holder, of a power-operated feed-roll for feeding a sheet to themachine, means constantly tending to exert pressure on said sheet-holderto bringa sheet into contact with the feed-roll, an idler orpressure-receiving roll normally stationary with respect to said feedroll, and means for transferring pressure of said sheet-holder from thefeed-roll to the pressure-receiving roll at a predetermined point in thefeed of the sheet.

14. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder, of a feed device for feeding a sheet to the machine,pressure means for exerting pressure between the feed device and a sheetcarried by said sheet-holder, a pressure-receivin'g idler roll normallystationary with respect to the feed device, and means for moving saidfeed device and transferring feed pressure from it to saidpressure-receiving incense roll at a predetermined point in the feed ofthe sheet.

15. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder, of a feed roll for feeding a sheet to the machine,pressure means for exerting pressure between the feed roll and a sheetcarried by said sheet holder, a pressure-receiving idler roll normallystationary with respect to said feed roll, and means for turning saidfeed roll and transferring feed pressure from it to saidpressure-receiving roll at a predetermined point in the feed of thesheet.

16. In a, machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder, of a power-operated feed device for feeding a sheet to themachine, means constantly tending to exert pressure on said sheetholderto bring a sheet into contact with the feeding device, an idler rollnormally stationary with respect to said feed device, and means fortransferring pressure of said sheet-holder from the feed device to theidler roll and from the idler roll to the feed device.

17. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asheetholder, of a power-operated feed device for feeding a sheet to themachine, means constantly tending to exert pressure on said sheet-holderto bring a sheet into contact .with the feeding device, an idler rollnormally stationary with respect to the feed device, and intermittentlyoperative means for transferring pressure of said sheetholder from thefeed device to the idler roll and from the idler roll to the feed devicealternately.

18. In a. machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder, of a. power-operated feed-roll for feeding a sheet to themachine, means constantly tending to exert pressure on said sheet-holderto bring a sheet into contact with the feedroll, an idler roll normallystationary with respect to said feed roll, and intermittently operativemeans for transferring pressure of said sheet-holder from the feed-rollto the idler roll and from the idler roll to the feed-roll alternately.

19. In a machine of the character described, the combination with avsubstantially horizontal pivoted sheet-holder adapted to supply sheetssuccessively from a bunch of sheets and having an arc of move mentcorresponding substantially to the thickness of said bunch, of apow'r-operated feed-roll located above said sheetholder and having aperiphery one part of which is operative for feeding a sheet to themachine and another part of which is of less diameter and is ineifectivefor feeding a sheet, an idler roll in position to be engaged by thesheet-holder in the inoperative position of the feed-roll and acounterweight constantly tending to exert pressure on said sheet-holderto bring a sheet into contact with said feed-roll or with the idler rollaccording to the position of the feedro i.

20. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asubstantially horizontal pivoted sheet-holder adapted to supply sheetssuccessively from-a bunch of sheets and having an arc of movementcorresponding substantially to the thickness of said bunch, of apower-operated feed-roll located above said sheet-holder and having aperiphery one part of which is operative for feeding a sheet to thegumming means and another part of which is of less diameter and isineffective for feeding a sheet, an idler roll normally stationary withrespect to said feed roll in position to be engaged by the sheet-holderin the inoperative position of the feed-roll, and an adjustablecounter-weight constantly tending to exert pressure on said sheet-holderto bring a sheet into contact with said feed-roll or with the idler rollaccording to the position of the feed-roll.

21. In a machine of the character described the combination ofpower-operated feeding means for feeding a sheet to the machine, meansfor exerting feed pressure between the feeding means and the sheet to befed, actuating means for said feeding means, automatic means forrelieving the pressure of said feeding means on the sheet at apredetermined point in the feed movement of the sheet, said automaticmeans adapted to permit free feeding of the sheet when the pressure isthus relieved and to which the feedpressure is transferred at such time,and mechanical means automatically operable when the pressure of thefeeding means on the sheet is thus relieved for disconnecting theactuating means from the feeding means.

22. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder adapted to supply sheets successively from a bunch ofsheets, of means for feeding said sheets successively to the machine, apivoted slide-rod located above said bunch of sheets, a slide mounted onsaid slide-rod and movable along it to different positions, and aWeighted holding device slidable up and down in said slide for engagingand maintaining a predetermined pressure on each of said sheets until itis engaged by said feeding means.

23. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder adapted to supply sheets successively from a bunch ofsheets, of means for feeding said sheets successively to the machine, apivoted slide-rod located above said bunch of sheets, a slide mounted onsaid slide-rod and movable along it to different positions, and aWeighted pointed holding device slidable up and down in said slide forengaging and maintaining a predetermined pressure 'on' each of'saidsheets until it isengaged by said feeding means.

24. In a machine ofthe' character de scribed, the combination with asheet-holder pivotally mounted to swing about a fixed axis and movabletoward and from a feed device, of a power-operated feed device locatedabove said sheet-holder for feeding a sheet to the machine, meansmounted to swing about an axis independent of said first-named axis andconstantly tending to exert upward pressure on said sheet-holder tobring a sheet into contact with the feed device, means for varying saidpressure, and holding means for exerting downward pressure on saidsheet.

25. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder pivotally mounted to swing about a fixed axis and movabletoward and from a feed device, of a power-operated feed device locatedabove said sheet-holder for feeding a sheet to the machine, anadjustable cou'n terweight mounted to swing about an-axis independent ofsaid first-named axis and constantly tending to exert upward pressure onsaid sheet-holder and bring a sheet into contact with the feed device,and holding means for exerting downward pressure on said sheet.

26. In a machine of the character" described, the combination with asheet-holder,

of a power-operated feed device for feeding.

a sheet to the machine, actuating means for said device, pressure meansfor exertingfeed pressure between the feed device and a sheet on saidsheet-holder, an idlerdevice, means for transferring feed pressure fromthe feed device to said idler device at a predetermined point in'thefeed of the sheet, and

means for disconnecting the actuating means from the feed device whenthe pressure is thus transferred. 1

27. In a machine of the character described, the combination with asheet-holder, of a power-operated feed device for feeding a sheet to themachine, actuating means for said device, pressure means for exertingfeed pressure between the feed device and a sheet to the machine,actuating means for,

said feed roll, pressure means for exerting feed pressure between thefeed roll and a is s reams Signed at Rochester, in the county of Monroe,and State of New York, this 26th day of July, A. D. 1911.

EDGAR MARVIN HAWKINS.

Witnesses:

H. W. SPEAREs, THOS. D. PATTON.

sheet on said sheet-holder, an idler roll, and means for transferringfeed pressure from the feed roll to said idler roll at a predeterminedpoint in the feed of the sheet, and means for disconnecting theactuating means from the feed r011 when the pressure is thustransferred.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

